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14 The word , here used, occurs subsequently as a designation of the Gnostic Aeons. Here, as Merx observes, it can hardly go beyond its original meaning of ens, entia, Wesen, that which is. It evidently refers, however, in this passage to a system of things, a world.
15 Lit. "required." [It is a phenomenon to find this early specimen of "anthropology" emanating from the far East, and anticipating the Augustinian controversies no "fixed fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute." Yet the West did not originate the discussion. See vol. iv. p. 320. See the tehical or metaphysical side of free-will discussed in Eaton's Bampton Lecutres for 1872, p. 79, ed. Pott, Young, & Co., New York, 1873. On St. Augustine, see Wordsworth's valuable remarks in his Bampton Lectures for 1881.]
16 Gen. i. 27. The Hebrew itself, Myhl) Mlcb
17 Cureton renders, "for which he is created." Merx has, "das ihn gemacht hat."
19 , that which exists, especially that which has an independent existence, is used here of the Gnostic Aeons. They were so called in respect of their pre-existence, their existence independent of time or creation. When they came to be "created," or more properly "fashioned," they were called "emanations."
21 Lit. "the strength of their exactness," i.e., their exact (or complete) strength. Cureton has, "their force of energy."
22 "being lessened," or "lowered."
23 Lit. "do not take place by."
24 Cureton renders, "have the use of his hands:" Merx gives "etwas erwirbt."
27 Lit. "every man in whom there is a soul."
30 Lit. "A mind the son of the free."
32 Lit. "is not sound in his nature."
33 Cureton, "for good hope." But is a common expression for "in hope," as in Rom. viii. 20.
36 Lit. "in whom there is a soul."
38 Lit. "as children of the free."
39 Lit. "in which there is a soul."
41 Lit. "patient," i.e., tolerant of the craving which seeks gratification.
42 Lit. "in which they had stood."
45 So Merx, "in either Rede." Cureton, "by a vain plea."
46 Lit. "this knowledge of art (or skill)."
47 To what other work of his he refers is not known.
48 Cureton, "is capable." Dr. Payne Smith (Thes. Syr., s. v.) says, referring to as used in this passage: "eget, cupit, significare videtur."
49 So Dr. Payne Smith. Merx renders, "Even that which men desire to do." Cureton has, "and the same men meditate to do."
55 , Shlitane. [Of Angels, see vol. i. p. 269.]
56 , Medabhrane. Merx, p. 74, referring to the Peshito of Gen. ih. 16, thinks that by the Potentates are meant the sun and moon, and by the Governors the five planets.
57 [The book of Job and the Book of Ecclesiastes, with the eloquent and pathetic remonstrance (chap. iii. 18-22) "concerning the estate of the sons of men," are proofs that God foresaw the sruggles of faith against the apparently unequal ways and rulings of Providence. For popular answers see Parnell's Hermit, and Addison, Spectator, No. 237. But a valuable comment may be found in Wordsworth's Bampton Lecutres (for 1881) on the one Religion, p. 5, Oxford, Parker, 1881.]
58 Merx renders by "emanation," quoting two passages from Eph. Syr. where the root is used of the issuing of water from a fontain. Dr. Payne Smith says: "The word seems to mean no more than cursus: cf. Eusb., Theoph., i. 31. 5, 55. 1, 83, 22, where it is used of the stars; and i. 74. 13, where it means the course of nature."
62 Or "nativity," "natal hour" ( = place of birth, "Geburtshaus:" Merx).
63 Lit. "this agent of change." Cureton, "this alternation." "Das diese Veranderung bewirkende Agens" is the rendering of Merx.
64 Dr. Payne Smith thinks the reference to be to the Gnostic nou=j, yuxh/, and sw=ma, which seem to be spoken of just before. This difficult passage is rendered by Cureton: "And this alternation itself is called the Fortune, and the Nativity of this assemblage, which is being sifted and purified for the assistance of that which," etc. Merx being sifted and purified for the assistance of that which," etc. Merx has, ". . . zur Unterstutzung des Dinges, welches . . . unterstutzt worden ist und unterstilzt bleibt bis zur Vernichtung des Weltalls."
66 Lit. "a sufficiency in measure for all bodies."
70 Lit. "agent of change," as above. Merx: "das Veranderungsprincip."
72 i.e., zones of the earth. See p. 732, note 2, infra.
73 Or, "power as to themselves."
74 Lit. "the matter compels thee to be convinced."